Statera Cellars ‘Cutis’ Chardonnay · Columbia Gorge, USA · 2018

The Moment

This is the bottle for when curiosity leads the evening. When the table gets quieter, the pours slow down, and someone asks, “What is this?” It’s not background wine — it’s part of the conversation.

What It Feels Like

Mineral-driven and layered from the first sip. Aromas of dried leaves, green florals, and pear rise gently from the glass. On the palate, bright citrus and green apple meet a distinctly briny, saline edge, wrapped in a thick, textured mouthfeel that comes from extended skin contact. Notes of flint, tart lemon, and subtle orange peel weave through the wine, creating tension between freshness and depth. The finish is structured, serious, and quietly persistent, with weight without heaviness.

Perfect For

• Roasted vegetables, mushrooms, or olive-oil–driven dishes

• Savory seafood, anchovies, or tinned fish

• When you want a wine that challenges expectations without feeling extreme

The Vibe Pairing

• Playlist energy: Experimental indie, ambient, late-night vinyl

• Aura color: Burnished gold with slate gray

• Time of day: Dinner → after-hours conversation

Why We Love It

Cutis — Latin for “skin” — is Chardonnay stripped of polish and rebuilt through texture. Skin-fermented, un-oaked, and unsulfured, it shows both subtle reduction and gentle oxidation at once, creating a wine that feels alive and evolving. This is Chardonnay as a tactile experience — mineral, savory, and deeply expressive.

Taste Zone

Textural & Savory · Still White